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Cilantro Pesto Pasta

Today's post is a bit different than usual. A few days ago I was flipping through my Everyday Food Magazine and came across this recipe. Since Kevin has finally decided to like pesto, as long as it is homemade, I have been thinking of all sorts of combos I could make. One that had really been staying in my head was a cilantro pesto. I adore cilantro, I mean seriously love it! I could put cilantro on just about anything, and if I see it in a recipe I am game to try it no matter what it is. So you know when I saw a recipe for a cilantro pesto pasta I was a very happy girl!! I had wanted to come up with my own, but hey, you have to have a jumping off point right? I figured I would get some experience with it and then go from there. Well, it didn't quite work that way. I never made the meal. How do I have a picture of a completed dish you ask? Good question, I will tell you. Kevin made it! Yes, you didn't miss read, I said Kevin made the meal.

Actually it started off as Kevin doing something nice for me, or at least it seemed that way. I was outside visiting with Dylan's girlfriend Elitia and my friend Melissa when Kevin asked when dinner would be ready. I said I would be right in to start cooking when Kevin announced that he would be making the meal.

Me - I am on my way in, I will get it going in just a few

Kevin - No don't worry about it, you stay outside I will make dinner.

Me - *stupid look* Waaaa?

Kevin - What?

Me - Are you sure you want to do this?

Kevin - Ya, I said I will make it. I mean what's the big deal? It's not that hard.

Me - *evil glare* Oh reallllllllllllllllly?

Kevin - Ya, how hard could it be?

Me - Go get 'em big boy!!

In to the kitchen he went with recipe in hand. I hear drawers opening and closing and mumbling.

Me - Do you need some help?

Kevin - No I am fine

Me - You sure?

Kevin - Well.....where is the ginger?

Me - In the veggie drawer

Kevin - Oh OK. Ummmm where is the cilantro?

Me - in the crisper drawer in the ziplock baggie labeled cilantro. It is wrapped in paper towels.

Kevin - Oh, great idea. Uuummm where is the red pepper flakes?

Me - in the spice drawer toward the front, laying sideways.

Kevin - It's not here

Me - *walking in the kitchen and looking in the drawer* here it is, are you sure you don't want help?

Kevin - No, I am fine

Me - Okaaaaaaaaaay

On to the business of prepping and cooking he went as I sat outside the kitchen window on the patio drinking a cold beer. There was a lot of mumbling, a few damn its, and I think one oh crap, but he didn't ask for anymore help. The next time I heard from him it was to ask me how I wanted the presentation for the pictures. I was pleasantly surprised when I went into the kitchen. It was clean, nothing broken or spilled, and the food was very good!

Me - Wow this looks really good!

Kevin - Thanks

Me - Wow it tastes really good

Kevin - See I told you it's not that hard

Me - gggrrrrrrrr

Kevin - OK well maybe it wasn't as easy as I thought it was

Me - Ya?

Kevin - Ya, I don't really want to do that again

Me *satisfied grin*

Kevin - But I want to see you try to work on a car just from reading instructions

Me - *eyeroll*

Cilantro Pesto Pasta

1 bunch cilantro, 1/4 cup leaves reserved for garnish

1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed

3/4-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest, plus 2 tablespoons juice

1 teaspoon light-brown sugar

1/3 cup roasted peanuts, divided

2 to 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

1 pound spaghetti or linguine, cooked according to package instructions

In a food processor, combine cilantro, garlic, ginger, vegetable and sesame oils, red pepper flakes, lime zest and juice, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup peanuts. Pulse until a coarse paste forms. Season with soy sauce and pulse to combine. In a large bowl toss pesto with pasta. Roughly chop the remaining peanuts and sprinkle over pasta along with remaining cilantro leaves.